Venue Walkthrough in Annapolis, MD: Historic London Town and Gardens

Welcome to another lovely venue walkthrough! Today, we’re taking a virtual tour of Historic London Town and Gardens located in Annapolis, MD. Keara Mahan, the venue’s Director of Events and Sales, will be our tour guide. Enjoy:

Tell us a bit about your venue:

Created in 1683 by the Maryland legislature, London Town became an important tobacco port and a major player in the colonial trans-Atlantic trade network. It also served as an important ferry crossing on the main north-south route in the colonies, connecting Charleston, South Carolina with Boston, Massachusetts. As a center of transportation and trade, London Town reached its heyday in the 1720s, rivaling nearby Annapolis in terms of economic activity. The prominence of London Town began to fade in the mid-1700s and with the lack of trade during the American Revolutionary War; the port town simply could not survive. Once a vibrant town of 100 acres, consisting of 30 to 40 occupied lots and an estimated population of 300 people, London Town began to disappear from the landscape. Only a few buildings lasted into the 20th century, one of which is the impressive brick building, known as the William Brown House, built circa 1760 as an upscale tavern for travelers crossing the South River by ferry boat.

Tucked back on a bluff overlooking the South River, today Historic London Town and Gardens is set on over 23 acres. Just minutes from downtown Annapolis, our clients enjoy the peace of a waterfront setting with none of the hustle, bustle, or traffic. From our gardens to the historic brick William Brown House, to our 185-foot pier where you can arrive or depart by boat, our grounds boast extensive photo opportunities.

Read the full interview after the cut!

Photo Credits: Birds of a Feather

What makes your business unique?

Being the only event on site, our couples and their guests enjoy full access to the entire property while they celebrate. Guests are invited to stroll through the gardens, walk down to the water, or just mix and mingle on the lawn overlooking the river. We take all the worry out of a couple’s day by providing an inclusive rental (tenting with cement floor, tables, chairs, lighting). Being an outdoor venue, we have some couples that worry about weather, but luckily we have our indoor glass pavilion which provides the perfect plan B for when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. I also strive to make our couples not just feel like a client. This is a big day for everyone and I want them leaving every interaction we have feeling like a friend.

Photo Credit: Abby Grace Photography

Do you target any particular niche?

That is what I would consider one of the best parts of London Town: how universal we are. I have couples who love the history of our site, couples that want a garden wedding, and couples that crave the waterfront. Everything from simple décor to rentals throughout every space. It’s something that is very unique around this area. We aren’t just a nautical wedding venue; we can do so much more.

Photo Credit: Lauren R Swann

What’s your favorite part of the job?

I love our couples. Seeing them excited about getting married to their fiancé, seeing them excited about getting married here, it’s just something really special to be a part of. I also love being able to see unique visions come to life here. I never see the same thing twice since our tent and grounds are such an open, blank canvas. We have hosted everything from rustic, to modern, to high end. We see weddings with all white linens, small pops of color, and every color of the rainbow. And my favorite part: we’re pet friendly!

Photo Credit: Anna Reynal

How do you help couples customize their weddings?

We encourage them to bring us their ideas. We know what works best here and what doesn’t work as well, but we are always encouraging couples to come up with unique ways to use the space. We have very little restriction here even though we are a historical property, so that makes being creative much easier.

Photo Credits: Natalie Franke

Do you have any funny stories about a past wedding or event?

I don’t know if you’d consider it funny, but one of the sweetest things I have witnessed was from a wedding last October. Our couple had their dog wearing a GoPro and during the ceremony he decided to walk up on the deck, plop down on the brides train, and take a nap!

Photo Credit: Abby Grace Photography

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

That there is always more to learn! The beauty about the wedding industry is that it is constantly changing, yet still rooted in tradition. No two couples are the same and no two events are the same and there is something to learn from each and every one.

Any tips for brides on the hunt for a venue?

You need to picture yourself here. We are in the backdrop of every picture that you will take, so you need to love the space! I also encourage brides to come and see us even if we don’t have the date they are picturing. Our grounds are beautiful at all times of the year and once you see them, most often you fall in love.